The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

by Carol3 Comments
Of course, I had heard about The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up before I picked it up. I knew she emphasized only keeping what brings you joy and that sounds simple enough, but there actually is more to the book than that. She gives you an order to de-clutter, starting with your clothes. She also talks about how to store things after you only have what you truly want. I'll grant you, some things are a little odd, like talking to your stuff and thanking you house. I'm going to talk to my things, but it does remind you to appreciate them and to let them go when they're job has been fulfilled, whatever that job may be. I'm not exactly following her method to a T. I did start with my clothes but didn't spread them all out all over the living room. I don't have that kind of time or space. :) I did start with my drawers though, and...
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Thursday’s Tale: The Spider, Kayi, and the Bush Fowl

by Carol1 Comment
"The Spider, Kayi, and the Bush Fowl" is a story from Sierra Leone, and it's pretty funny. It was recorded by Ruth Finnegan in Limba Stories and Story-Telling in 1967, but I read it in Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters edited by Kathleen Ragan. The spider and his wife, Kayi, lived in a hut. One day the spider trapped a bush fowl and killed it. He brought it home and told his wife there was food and to lay it down, which she did. Kayi pounded the millet for the meal, put it down and went to get water. When she was gone the spider ate the millet. When Kayi came back she asked who ate the millet. The spider blamed the bush fowl. She questioned him but the spider said it was true so she only replied, "Well, all right." Later, the spider got up to tap his palm tree. While he was gone, Kayi prepared the bird, boiled it...
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Readers’ Workouts – 7/14/15

by Carol5 Comments
So, here are my steps for the week. We went out of town for the weekend and I didn't get as much walking in as I would have liked.   I'm giving up on any kind of plan for now. I'm just too busy to stick with it. Mid-July, it should settle down a bit. My goal is to get in at least 8,000 steps a day, 50 crunches and 10 (girly) push-ups. The rest'll just be icing. My week (at least the best I remember.): Tuesday - 50 crunches, 10 push-ups Wednesday - 50 crunches, 10 push-ups Thursday - ½ mile walk with the dog Saturday - went fishing Sunday - went fishing Monday - 50 crunches, 10 push-ups I'm down 10 lbs from 5/19. I usually listen to a book while I'm running or walking. The week I'm still listening Natchez Burning by Greg Iles. How was your week? Readers’ Workouts is hosted by Joy at Joy’s Book Blog. Thanks!...
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Thursday’s Tale: Story of a Female Shaman

by Carol1 Comment
Today's tale, "The Story of a Female Shaman," is from the Reindeer Chukchee people of northeastern Siberia. It was retold in Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from around the World edited by Kathleen Ragan. A female shaman had an only son who was sick, but she had to leave to visit other people who lived at the end of the sea. Her husband complained, calling her a bad mother for leaving her sick child. She said she understood his concern, but that other people needed her, as they too had a son who was suffering. When she got to the other people, they told her the boy was dead. She asked what payment they were going to give her and they told her two reindeer teams. She told them she would try to bring the boy back. She hit her drum and restored the boy to life. She spent a year there. When she returned home, she learned her...
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The Whole30 by Melissa and Dallas Hartwig

by Carol3 Comments
I can't tell you if The Whole30 is a healthy choice, although the Hartwigs give plenty of reasons why it is. What I can tell you is that I'm glad I did the 30 days and will hopefully eat better having done them. David and I did it together which was definitely helpful, although I let Amber eat pretty much what she wanted. The Whole30 rules in the most basic form are easy to understand. YES: Eat meat, seafood, eggs, vegetable, fruit and natural fats. DO: Do not consume sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes or dairy. Do not consume baked goods or "treats." Do not weight or measure yourself. I know it seems pretty restrictive, but like they say, "keep in mind that the Whole30 was intended to be a short-term reset and learning experience, not a permanent plan." I will admit that I "cheated a couple of times" and made a delicious apple breakfast cake that fit the rules. I also weighed myself. The...
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Readers’ Workouts- 7/7

by Carol3 Comments
So, here are my steps for the week. I actually hit my goal everyday. And I earned my Italy badge. I know the badges are a bit silly, but they're fun too.   I'm giving up on any kind of plan for now. I'm just too busy to stick with it. Mid-July, it should settle down a bit. My goal is to get in at least 8,000 steps a day, 50 crunches and 10 (girly) push-ups. The rest'll just be icing. My week (at least the best I remember. I forgot to keep track this week.): Tuesday - 1 mile walk with the dog, 50 crunches, 10 push-ups Wednesday - 50 crunches, 10 push-ups Thursday - 30 minute run at the park, 50 crunches, 10 push-ups Saturday - 1 mile walk with the dog Sunday - 50 crunches, 10 push-ups Monday - 50 crunches, 10 push-ups I'm down 9.2 lbs from 5/19. The end of our Whole30 and the holiday weekend did not help my weight loss goals. I think I'm heading back...
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